Residents of Baguio and other highland areas of Luzon should prepare for chilly conditions in February, with temperatures expected to dip as low as 9 degrees Celsius. This forecast was shared by Larry Esperanza, a weather specialist from the DOST-PAGASA Baguio synoptic station, during a recent meeting of the Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council. Esperanza predicted that temperatures in these mountainous regions could range between 9.4°C and 26.9°C next month.
The cooler temperatures are attributed to the influence of the northeast monsoon and the shear line, with additional weather systems such as frontal systems, low pressure areas, tropical cyclones, localized thunderstorms, easterlies, high pressure areas, and the intertropical convergence zone also expected to impact the region’s climate.
In January, the lowest temperature recorded was around 10.2°C, while March and April are expected to see lows of 11.9°C and 12.2°C respectively. Recent data from PAGASA-Baguio showed a temperature of 15°C on Friday, slightly warmer than the 14.4°C recorded the previous day. The coldest temperature since last December was 14°C, noted on December 20, 2024.
Given the high altitude of Baguio and other Cordillera provinces, health officials have recommended that residents take steps to bolster their immune systems. This includes getting adequate rest, maintaining a balanced diet, and keeping warm. The City Health Services Office reported a significant increase in influenza-like illnesses (ILI), with 6,588 cases recorded from January to December 2024, a 249% rise from the 1,738 cases in 2023. The surge in ILI cases was particularly noted at the beginning of the year.
Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes, the city health officer, has encouraged residents to seek medical attention if they feel unwell, emphasizing that free medical services are available at various rural health units in Baguio. She reassured the public, stating, ‘Do not worry about the cost of medical services because the government is here to support us, especially when we are sick.’